STOLAS' MANSION

Loona lies in her bed, trying desperately to fall back asleep, but the muffled noises from upstairs make it impossible. She groans and pulls a pillow over her head, muttering, "Every single week… Can't they just keep it down for once?"

The noises continue, louder this time. Loona's eyes snap open, her face contorted with irritation. Throwing off her blanket, she grabs a robe and storms out of her room, kicking the door shut behind her.

As she ascends the stairs, she mutters under her breath, her voice filled with escalating anger. "They're worse than animals. I swear, if I have to hear one more–" She stops mid-sentence as she reaches the top floor and marches toward Stolas' bedroom.

Without hesitation, she throws the door open, ready to unleash a verbal tirade.

Loona freezes in her tracks, her eyes going wide. Blitz is tied to the bed—arms and legs bound securely—and he's wearing a blindfold. Stolas stands nearby, holding a whip in his hand, his expression shifting from surprise to mild embarrassment.

Loona and Blitz stare at each other awkwardly for a moment. Blitz, sensing the disturbance, uses his head to move the blindfold aside and sees Loona standing there, speechless. Without missing a beat, he smirks and casually says, "Let's face it. This isn't the worst thing you've caught me doing."

Loona blinks a few times, her expression shifting from shock to pure discomfort. Slowly, she takes a step back, closes the door behind her, and walks back down the stairs in stunned silence.

Once back in her room, Loona sits on her bed, staring at the wall, her face pale. Loona grabs a pillow, presses it to her face, and lets out a long, muffled scream.

BREAKFAST

Loona sat at the kitchen table, still wide-eyed and distracted as she poured cereal into a bowl. Her movements were robotic, her mind clearly elsewhere as she spooned a bite into her mouth.

Blitz walked in, his usual chipper self, carrying his breakfast. "Morning, kiddo!" he said as he sat down across from her.

Loona didn't respond at first, her mind clearly elsewhere. Blitz frowned and waved a hand in front of her face. "Earth to Loona. You okay over there?"

Loona blinked, snapping out of her daze. "Yeah… no. Not okay," she said, shaking her head. She pointed her spoon at him, anger creeping into her tone. "I saw my adoptive dad… tied up and naked! That is burned into my brain forever. Thanks for that."

Blitz raised a brow, clearly unbothered. "Oh, come on. Let's face it, that's not the worst thing you've caught me doing."

Loona groaned, slamming her spoon down. "That doesn't make it any better!"

Before Blitz could respond, a loud yawn interrupted them. Both turned to see Octavia shuffle into the kitchen, her hair slightly disheveled, a coffee mug in hand. "Morning," she mumbled, plopping down at the table.

As Octavia quietly sipped her coffee, Loona took out her phone and smiled at a message she received. Blitz, ever the nosy one, tilted his head to peek. Loona noticed and quickly moved the phone out of view.

"Privacy!" she barked.

Blitz smirked. "What? Is it another raunchy pic from Sallie May?"

Loona groaned, rolling her eyes. "It was one time! And Sallie May and I both agreed on it. Plus, I'm 22—I can date whoever I want!"

Blitz leaned back, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, I approve. I just didn't like hearing those noises back at Millie's family farm."

Loona flushed, clearly embarrassed, and decided to change the subject. "Anyway, I've got work to do. Got a lead on a bounty in the industrial district."

Blitz's teasing demeanor dropped. "Work? You're going after another bounty? Loona, it's dangerous out there—especially with Striker still lurking around. I don't like you running these jobs alone."

Loona sighed, slinging her bag over her shoulder. "Blitz, I've got this. Lucifer's paying anyone willing to help track down Striker and his associates. If I can help out, I will. Besides, this isn't my first bounty."

Blitz frowned but relented. "Fine. Just promise me you'll call if anything comes up. I mean it."

Loona nodded. "I will." She turned and walked toward the door.

As the door shut behind her, Octavia looked up from her coffee, curiosity written all over her face. "What noises happened at Millie's family farm?" she asked innocently.

Blitz froze, his face turning a shade of red. "Uhhh… breakfast is over!" he declared, abruptly standing and grabbing his plate, avoiding Octavia's curious gaze.

EARTH

The sun shone brightly on the backyard of a suburban home, where a lively birthday party was in full swing. Balloons and streamers decorated the area, and a group of excited children gathered around a small makeshift stage. Standing on the stage were Moxxie and Millie, disguised as humans but still their diminutive height, entertaining the kids with an old-fashioned western skit.

Moxxie, dressed as a sheriff complete with a hat, badge, and lasso, puffed out his chest dramatically. "Alright, partner," he declared, pointing his lasso at Millie, "this here town ain't big enough for the two of us!"

Millie, playing the role of a bank robber with a toy gun and a bandana over her face, twirled her pistol and gave a playful smirk. "Well, Sheriff," she said in her best outlaw drawl, "I reckon it's about to get a whole lot smaller when I take all the loot from yer precious bank!"

The kids cheered, completely engrossed in the act.

Moxxie hopped onto a tiny pony, gripping his lasso. "Not if I catch ya first!" he declared, riding toward her at an impressive speed, given his size.

Millie let out a playful gasp and took off on foot, pretending to fire her toy gun. "You'll never catch me, Sheriff! I'm the fastest bandit this side of the Mississippi!"

The chase was on. Millie darted around the yard, evading Moxxie with exaggerated movements. Moxxie, determined to win, twirled his lasso in the air, timing his throw perfectly. With a practiced flick of his wrist, the rope sailed through the air and looped around Millie.

"Gotcha!" Moxxie exclaimed triumphantly, hopping off the pony and pulling Millie toward him.

Millie let herself get dragged, throwing up her hands in mock surrender. "Alright, Sheriff, ya got me fair and square. But don't think this is the last you've seen of me!"

The children erupted into applause and laughter as Moxxie led Millie to a play jail made of cardboard. Millie gave a playful wink to the audience, and Moxxie tipped his hat with a smile.

After the act was done, the children cheered before quickly losing interest and heading inside for cake. Moxxie and Millie stood by the stage, watching as the kids buried their faces in their phones moments later.

Moxxie sighed, leaning against the stage. "Amazing, isn't it? One moment, they're completely captivated, and the next, they're glued to their screens."

Millie chuckled, patting his arm. "Well, that's kids for ya. At least we got 'em to enjoy somethin' that didn't involve a touchscreen for a while."

As they began packing up their props, Millie took the glowing crystal around her neck into her hand. She smiled, admiring the faint hum of magic within it. "I gotta say, Stolas really came through for us with these," she said.

Moxxie, holding his own crystal, nodded. "Yeah, he's been pretty generous, lending us enough magic to not only disguise ourselves but also portal to Earth. These things are invaluable."

"They sure are," Millie agreed. "It's amazin' how he managed to transfer some of his magic into them. Now we can come here and blend in like it's nothin'."

Moxxie looked at the crystal, his tone more cautious. "Though we have to be mindful—they're only temporary. We've got about an hour left before the magic wears off."

Millie nodded, her smile fading slightly. She looked around the yard with a thoughtful expression. "Moxxie… I gotta admit somethin'."

Moxxie tilted his head, immediately sensing her concern. "What's wrong, darlin'?"

Millie hesitated before speaking. "Every time we come here, I can't help but worry about Blitz and Loona. Striker's still out there, and who knows what he's plotting."

Moxxie's brow furrowed. "You've been feelin' this way for a while, haven't ya?"

Millie nodded solemnly. "Ever since he killed Beelzebub. The way he took her down… it's got me thinkin'. If he can kill a Sin, what's stoppin' him from goin' after Lucifer? Or worse, us."

Moxxie placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We've been through plenty, Millie, and we've come out stronger every time. If Striker's planning somethin', we'll be ready for him. I promise."

Millie smiled softly, pulling Moxxie into a hug. "I know you will, Mox. And I'll be right there with ya, watchin' your back."

After they separated, Moxxie grinned. "Now then… shall we?"

Millie smirked, her mischievous side returning. "Let's do it."

The pair snuck into the house while the parents and children were distracted by cake and presents. Moxxie and Millie moved swiftly, grabbing anything of value—watches, jewelry, and even a few decorative figurines—and placing them into a sack.

Minutes later, they slipped out the back door, unseen. Hiding behind the house, they took off their crystals. In a flash, their disguises vanished, revealing their true imp forms.

A glowing portal appeared in front of them. Millie took Moxxie's hand as they mounted the pony with the sack of stolen goods. With a quick glance to ensure no one had spotted them, they rode through the portal, disappearing back to Hell.

ROOFTOP

The moon cast a soft glow over the city below as Loona sat perched on the edge of a tall rooftop, her legs dangling over the side. Clad in her sleek bounty hunter gear, she munched on a sandwich she'd hastily thrown together earlier. The quiet was nice—just her and the hum of the city—but also frustrating. Her target was running late.

Halfway through her meal, her phone vibrated on the ledge next to her. Glancing at the screen, a rare smile crossed her face. The caller ID showed a picture of Sallie May, her partner-in-crime in more ways than one. She quickly put in her earpiece and answered the call.

"Hey, Sallie," Loona greeted, her tone softer than usual. "What's up?"

"Hey, darlin'," Sallie May's familiar drawl came through. "Just checkin' in on ya. How's my favorite bounty hunter?"

Loona smirked, taking another bite of her sandwich before replying, "A little bored, honestly. I've been sitting here waiting for my bounty to show up, but they're like… two hours late."

Sallie May chuckled. "Maybe they heard you were after 'em and decided to skip town."

"Doubt it," Loona said, rolling her eyes. "If they were smart, they wouldn't have made it to my list in the first place."

There was a pause before Sallie May spoke again, her tone turning playful. "You know, I've been thinkin' about that night back at the farm. You know… in my room?"

Loona nearly choked on her sandwich, coughing as her face turned bright red. "W-What about it?"

Sallie May's laughter was warm and teasing. "Oh, nothin' much. Just rememberin' how cute you were tryin' to act all confident… before you melted in my hands."

"Sallie!" Loona hissed, glancing around as if someone might overhear her from the empty rooftop. "Not while I'm working!"

Sallie May giggled, clearly enjoying Loona's flustered reaction. "Alright, alright, I'll behave. But you're adorable when you're embarrassed, ya know."

Loona rubbed her temple, groaning. "You're impossible."

"Mm-hmm," Sallie May said with a grin in her voice. "Anyway, I was callin' to let ya know I'm plannin' on visitin' the city soon to see Millie. Thought I'd stay a couple days… and maybe we could finally go on that date you've been promising me."

Loona blinked, her ears perking up. "Wait, has it really been that long?"

"It has," Sallie May said, a hint of amusement in her voice. "But don't worry, sugar. Just hearin' your voice every now and then is enough for me… until I see you again."

Loona felt her heart skip a beat, her usual tough exterior softening. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to keep you waiting this long."

"Don't apologize, Loona," Sallie May assured her gently. "I know you've got your work and your life goin' on. I just wanted to let you know I'm lookin' forward to seein' you. And don't forget—you promised you'd take me anywhere I wanted for our first real date."

Loona smirked, regaining some of her composure. "Anywhere you want, huh? I'll clear my schedule. You just name the time and place."

"I'll hold ya to that," Sallie May said with a playful tone. "I'm lookin' forward to it, my lovely Hellhound."

Loona couldn't help but smile. "See you soon, Sallie."

"See ya soon, darlin'."

As the call ended, Loona slid her phone into her pocket, her smile lingering for a moment before her eyes narrowed at the sound of an approaching vehicle. The rumble of an engine echoed from the street below, her target finally arriving.

Adjusting her hood, Loona stood and stretched, the light glinting off the blades she carried. The playful warmth from her conversation faded, replaced by the focused intensity of a predator on the hunt.

STOLAS' MANSION - BACKYARD

Under the soft glow of the stars, Stolas and Blitz sat on reclining lawn chairs in the mansion's sprawling backyard. The night was peaceful, and the cool breeze carried the faint scent of flowers from the nearby garden. Blitz reclined with his arms crossed, staring at the sky, while Stolas sipped from a cup of tea, looking content.

"What a productive day we've had," Stolas said with a small smile, breaking the silence.

Blitz glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "You mean all the housework, or the… bedroom work?" he asked with a smirk.

Stolas' grin widened as he turned to Blitz. "Both, of course," he said, his voice teasing.

Blitz chuckled, shaking his head, but their laughter faded as the two continued gazing up at the endless stars. For a moment, there was nothing but the quiet hum of insects and the faint rustle of leaves.

Then, Stolas hesitated before reaching out and gently taking Blitz's hand in his. Blitz tensed slightly, turning to meet Stolas' gaze. The owl demon's usual cheery expression faded, replaced by a look of quiet vulnerability.

"Are you… still mad?" Stolas asked softly, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Blitz sighed, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. "A little," he admitted after a pause. He looked down at their joined hands, then back at the sky. "You betrayed me, Stolas. You sold me out to get your mansion and your status back. How the hell am I supposed to just let that go?"

Stolas' face fell, and he pulled his hand away. "I understand," he murmured, his tone somber. "I've been trying everything to show you how sorry I am. But… I know I can't undo what I did."

Blitz exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "I'm trying, alright? I really am. I wanna forgive you, I do. But there's still this part of me that…"

Blitz trailed off, shaking his head as if trying to physically rid himself of the thought. "There's still this part of me that doesn't trust you like I used to. And that's hard to get past."

Stolas stood silently for a moment, his wings lowering slightly in defeat. He gave Blitz a sad smile before standing up from his chair.

"I think I understand," he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Maybe it's best if you don't come to my room tonight. I… think I need some time alone."

Blitz turned his head sharply, guilt flashing across his face. "Wait, Stolas, I didn't mean—"

Stolas raised a hand, cutting him off gently. "It's alright," he said, his smile now forced. "You're entitled to how you feel. Just… goodnight, Blitz."

Without another word, Stolas turned and walked back toward the mansion. Blitz watched him go, his chest tightening as the door clicked shut behind him. He sighed, running a hand down his face and muttering to himself.

"Smooth move, Blitz. Real smooth."

A voice interrupted his self-loathing. "Yeah, that was pretty smooth," it said dryly.

Blitz spun around, startled, to see Octavia sitting a short distance away on a cushioned bench, her face partially illuminated by a nearby lantern. She had a book open on her lap and a raised eyebrow aimed at him.

"How long have you been sitting there?" Blitz asked, clearly caught off guard.

Octavia turned a page in her book, her expression unimpressed. "Longer than you think. I was here before you and Dad even came outside."

Blitz groaned, leaning back in his chair. "Great. Just what I needed—an audience for me screwing up."

Octavia closed her book with a soft thud and stood, crossing her arms as she walked closer. "You know, I don't get you," she said bluntly, her gaze sharp. "You keep saying you're trying to forgive him, but it's been months. Do you even want to forgive him?"

Blitz opened his mouth to respond, but Octavia cut him off. "Because if you don't, you're just dragging him through hell—no pun intended." She sighed, her anger softening into something closer to disappointment. "I know what my dad did was awful. I hated him for it too. But I see how hard he's trying to fix things. Can't you at least acknowledge that?"

Blitz stared at her, his words caught in his throat. Octavia shook her head, clearly frustrated, and turned back toward the mansion.

"Think about it," she said over her shoulder. "He's not going to wait forever."

With that, she disappeared inside, leaving Blitz alone under the night sky. He rubbed the back of his neck, letting out a long sigh before slumping back into his chair.

"Great," he muttered. "Now I've pissed off his kid too."

The faint sound of the door locking reached his ears, and Blitz froze. He groaned, dragging a hand down his face.

"Oh, you little—" he started, but stopped himself, knowing Octavia could hear every word. Instead, he sat there in silence, staring at the stars and wondering how he was going to fix this.

BUILDING

A demon screams in panic, firing wildly as Loona charges at him. With one swift move, she knocks him out cold. Her breathing is steady, focused, as she lets out a battle cry and lunges at another demon. This one tries to run, but Loona grabs him by the arm and slams him against the wall, rendering him unconscious.

Her ears twitch, picking up sounds ahead. She moves cautiously down a dimly lit hallway, her footsteps muffled by her gear. Without warning, a group of demons bursts through the doors ahead, guns blazing. Bullets ricochet off her armor, some hitting her directly. But Loona keeps advancing, undeterred as her wounds heal almost instantly.

The demons' faces twist in fear as she closes in. One by one, she takes them down with calculated precision—punches, kicks, and well-placed throws. By the time she's done, the hallway is littered with unconscious bodies.

Loona catches her breath and approaches a large metal door at the end of the hall. Without hesitation, she bashes it open with her shoulder, the hinges groaning under the force.

Inside, the room is empty. A single dim bulb flickers above her, casting eerie shadows. Her sharp eyes scan the area as she pulls a file from her pocket. She flips it open, revealing photos of her target: a masked figure wearing a black trench coat and hat.

A sudden thud from above catches her attention. Her ears perk up, and she quickly puts the file away. Moving silently to the window, she pries it open and climbs out, scaling the building with practiced ease.

Loona crouches low as she reaches the rooftop, her movements soundless. Nearby, she spots her target. The masked figure stands at the edge, aiming a sniper rifle at an approaching car far below.

Her sharp eyes follow the direction of the rifle, but she can't see who the intended victim is. Regardless, she knows she has to act fast. Just as the masked man's finger tightens on the trigger, Loona charges.

She tackles him hard, sending the rifle clattering across the roof. The man recovers quickly, swinging at her. The two engage in a fierce scuffle, exchanging blows and knocking each other down in turn. Loona's agility gives her the upper hand at first, but the man counters with brute strength, slamming her to the ground.

Loona spits blood from her mouth and glares at him. The man turns to leave, his trench coat billowing behind him.

Loona regains her footing, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. Her eyes narrow as she silently begins to follow him, her steps light and calculated. The man strides confidently, unaware of her pursuit—until it's too late.

With a growl, Loona leaps and tackles him again, the two crashing hard onto the rooftop. They roll apart, immediately resuming their fight. Neither holds back, exchanging brutal punches.

Loona grabs the man by his coat and slams him to the ground. He groans in pain but doesn't stay down for long. Reaching into his coat, he pulls out a gun and aims it at her.

Loona freezes, her sharp eyes narrowing as the man's hat and mask fall away, revealing his face.

"Vortex?" Loona whispers, her voice barely audible.

Her shock is met with an icy glare as Vortex simply says, "Hello, Loona."

Before she can react, he pulls the trigger.

Loona barely manages to dodge, the glowing bullet grazing the side of her head. The searing pain momentarily blinds her as she stumbles back, her vision swimming.

Her foot slips off the edge of the building. For a moment, time seems to slow as she flails, her claws scratching against the rooftop in a desperate attempt to grab hold of something—anything.

But there's nothing.

Loona plummets into the darkness below, disappearing into the shadows.

A thud echoes through the empty alleyway, followed by silence